The Green Witch Tarot by Ann Moura and illustrated by Kiri Oestergaard finally became available. I followed the artist Kiri's process and anticipated so much for almost a year. I truly really wanted to love it, to rock it every time I read tarot. Unfortunately, when I finally get my hands on the deck, the art is beautiful but the deck fall flat for me. As much as I admire the artwork, if I can't read the cards, the deck is not practical for me to keep. I guess I'm not witchy or pagan after all. I know I have never been attracted to witchcraft or Pagan although I love nature. I can only look at this deck for the art. Let me explain why I feel this way. Remember, this is only my humble opinion and my personal connection with the deck, the deck itself has been getting raves from other readers.

First, let me showcase some of my favorite cards:

The Horned God or the Emperor. This is my favorite depiction of the Emperor, hands down! Look at him! So Sexy! So virile!

He's the protector of all beings in his kingdom. Look at how a variety of forest animals accompany him to protect him and to follow his lead. He has rules but he's not unreasonable as he is wise and knowing. The ravens circle above him and one perches on his shoulder, sings to him all the news.

Here's another one I love: Page of Chalices or Page of Cups.

Nothing screams creativity as a child standing in front of a blank canvas with paints by her side! She's holding her cup to reflect her emotions as she's learning how to use art to express them.

​This is a beautiful rendition that makes us easily relate to our childhood playing with colors and when our feelings are pure.​

Lastly, this is one of the best Strength card I've seen! It's renamed as The Crone in this deck

The lion walks beside her as companion, not wild like in traditional images. She has tamed him, with her gentleness and her wisdom.

The traditional image can give off the notion of beauty as the maiden tames the lion. But this card emphasizes easily the true beauty lies in the gentleness (how forceful can an old lady be?) and in wisdom of accepting the wild side of oneself.

The art is gorgeous! You think my intuition can just go off and work with this deck easily. I thought so too! I was sorely disappointed. As much as I love different depictions and interpretations, there are some traditional core meanings that I have come to associate with the cards. Sadly, the different images in this deck in many cards just irk me and don't trigger my intuition to make that leap. Simply, the visual just doesn't work for me no matter how hard I try!

For example, look at the Nature card. What do you think this correlates to in the traditional deck? The Devil. Yes, the Devil.

If you go like huh?, I have the same feeling. The guidebook isn't helpful for me as it doesn't explain in detail why the image of temptation is depicted this way. I just don't see anyone, neither the hunter or the bear or even those dancing creatures, getting tempted here.

I also don't see anyone being controlled by their own free will or ego. I just don't get this whole card.

​I just can't fret drawing a card in a reading because I don't understand it.

Here's another card that I just can't work with: 8 of Wands.

It's quite simple in its meaning: fast approaching news. I see absolutely neither in this card. Not even a movement! The book offers zero help; it states the traditional meaning and doesn't have one sentence explaining why the woman is sitting down or why the wands are lying down neatly in a row!

Even the small bird is not flying to her! So maybe the news or whatever it is has already come? Hard to tell!

Here's another major arcana that I just don't agree with: Lord of Shadows or Death.

Shadow side makes me think of the Devil, much less in Death. The Grim Reaper might dress in a black robe but death is something we have to deal with, it is not hidden in the shadows. Death comes for everyone, usually without warning or notice. So, what is the shadowy figure (who I'm assuming is Death) doing here? Watching a man and a child walking away from the well? Nothing is dying here. Or is the man about to die? Or is it the child? Or both? I don't know! I don't see anything ending here.

I see the moth for transformation. But without the ending, the transformation is up in the air and it feels empty.

You see, the art style and the colors are exactly my taste! But the depictions don't work for me for many cards, not half the deck, but enough to sever my connection with the deck. I simply can't read this beautiful deck. It's like you're attracted to someone but you can't communicate with each other. It sucks. Well, I guess I'm just not meant for that path. I'm trading this deck or selling it to someone that will connect with it more than me. Goodbye, my beautiful witchy acquaintance!

To close, feast your eyes upon the art. Enjoy or laugh at my comments! I tend to use a lot of non-sense words to convey my emotions. *Sigh* I love the colors so much! Come on, can Barbara Moore and Kiri collaborate on a deck for me, please? Here, I'll put the seed of thought out to the universe! I want to have it all, art, colors, and readability! :)